The University of Pittsburgh seeks an experienced, strategic, and visionary leader to serve as dean of the School of Social Work, a nationally recognized and mission-driven professional school grounded in academic excellence, community engagement, and social justice. The next dean will be a visible, values-driven leader who builds upon the School’s deep strengths while guiding it thoughtfully through a period of opportunity and change.
Founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh is a leading public research university and a proud member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Recognized by Forbes as a “New Ivy” in 2025, Pitt is the #1 public institution in Pennsylvania and ranks among the top 2% of universities worldwide. Serving more than 35,000 students across 16 schools and colleges, with a global alumni network of more than 340,000 graduates, Pitt is widely acclaimed for its strengths in health sciences, interdisciplinary research, public service, and its success in preparing students for lives of purpose and impact.
Established in 1918, the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected programs, consistently ranked among the top schools in the country. Currently ranked #12 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, Pitt Social Work enrolls over 500 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and is supported by a diverse and accomplished faculty and staff. More than 11,000 alumni worldwide extend the School’s impact through leadership in practice, policy, research, nonprofit management, and public service. The School is widely recognized for preparing graduates who are highly sought after for their professional readiness, ethical grounding, and commitment to social and racial justice.
The School offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and PhD in Social Work, along with certificate programs, continuing education, and joint and dual degree pathways. A hallmark of Pitt Social Work is its strong commitment to community-engaged education, including practicum partnerships with more than 600 agencies, providing students with rigorous, supervised practice experiences across a wide range of professional settings. This practice-centered approach reflects the School’s understanding of social work as a profession grounded equally in education, practice, research, and community impact.
Pitt Social Work is also distinguished by its robust research enterprise. Faculty lead more than 100 active research projects, representing approximately $32.5 million in annual research expenditures, supported by federal agencies, state and local partners, and private foundations. The School values a broad and inclusive definition of scholarly excellence, including community-engaged, practice-based, and justice-oriented research. The School is home to the Center on Race and Social Problems, one of the first research centers of its kind housed within a school of social work, and the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center, which provides services designed to facilitate and sustain positive change in the child welfare system across the commonwealth.
The School benefits from the resources and infrastructure of the University of Pittsburgh and operates with an annual budget of approximately 8.5 million. Located on Pitt’s main campus, and with a presence on the Bradford and Johnstown campuses, the School fosters interprofessional collaboration and deep engagement with community partners throughout the Pittsburgh region and beyond. With significant statewide programs and long-standing grant-funded initiatives, the School’s impact extends well beyond its primary campus footprint.
As the chief academic and executive officer of the School, the dean will provide leadership to advance academic excellence; strengthen the School’s national and global reputation; support faculty, staff, and student success; steward financial and institutional resources; and advance the profession’s core values. The dean will be expected to lead with authenticity and visibility, cultivating strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, community partners, and University leadership. The dean will play a central role in shaping the School’s strategic vision, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding research and external partnerships, and leading fundraising and resource development efforts aligned with University priorities.
The ideal candidate will bring a record of distinguished academic accomplishment and senior leadership experience appropriate for a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of full professor. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment to social work education and practice, an appreciation for the full spectrum of faculty and staff contributions, and the ability to recruit, retain, and support an excellent and diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. They will be a collaborative yet decisive leader, capable of navigating complex institutional and political environments while remaining steadfast in the School’s mission and values. The new dean will build upon the School’s many strengths while guiding Pitt Social Work into its next chapter of impact and leadership.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of Pittsburgh in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 9, 2026.
Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: